Important Information

Hi: I have received several messages from students indicating that they would be missing class meetings this summer. If this applies to you, my strong recommendation is to drop this course and re-enroll in the course when you do not anticipate missing class meetings. It is not possible to make-up the material we cover and students who have missed class meetings have consistently earned poor grades. Please make certain you have completed the first day ass

Important- First Day Class Assignment- Summer 2014

Welcome to Business & Society! The Summer 2014 term is just around the corner! All students must obtain the required textbook prior to the first day of class. Please bring your textbook to the first day of class. Excuses such as "the book is on order", "delivery was delayed", "I have the wrong book", "I didn't receive the email" or any other reason will not be accepted. You cannot share a book with another student. The textbook will be: Employment & Labor Law, Cihon & Castagnera, 8th Edition, South-western, 978-1-285-19304-5, (2014) Previous editions and the electronic edition of the textbook are not acceptable. The textbook used in the Spring 2014 semester is not acceptable. Assignment for the 1st day of class: Please read and study the Preface, (xvi-xxvi), Chapter 1, (pps. 1-18) Answer questions 1, 2 & 5. I will collect your word processed (paper) answers to these question at our first class meeting. See you soon! Rick Custin

Required Textbook

Hello: Please print the syllabus and bring a paper copy of these files to the first class meeting. You must have a paper copy of these files at the first class meeting. Please also note that my previous email listed an Instructor's Edition ISBN number for the required text. The ISBN number for the student required text is: 978-1-133-58660-9. It is my understanding that the correct text is available in the USD Torero bookstore. Thank you! Rick Custin

Jacqueline Rush

On Sunday March 30, 2014 we lost a young woman with exceptional promise to cancer.  Jacqueline was a student, friend and daughter.  She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.  It was a blessing to have her with us. Her smile, kindness and courage will endure forever.

First day Assignment- Business & Society Spring 2014

It's almost that time again!  Welcome to Business & Society!

Please obtain the following text.  You must bring the text to the first day of class.  You can choose to use an electronic version of the text.

Cihon & Castagnera, Employment & Labor Law, 7E, South-Western (978-1-4390-3727)

 (Custom or other editions are not adequate)

First day class assignment:

Please read and study Chapter 1 in the Cihon text, pps. 3-15.  Answer question 5 on p. 17.  This assignment must be word processed.  I will collect your completed assignment on the first day of class.

See you soon!  Rick Custin

Syllabus for Business & Society Spring 2014

University of San Diego

School of Business Administration

ETLW 302

Business & Society

Section # 3, 12:20-1:15 P.M. MWF

Spring 2014

Richard E. Custin, J.D., M.Ed, LL.M.                                                 email:  rcustin@sandiego.edu

Coronado 216                       Office Hours- 7-7:45 A.M. MWF; 1:30-3 P.M. MW and as arranged

619 260-4854                                                                                                                                     

Class Blog:  http://custinusdbusinesssociety.blogspot.com/

Course Description:

This course examines principles of social responsibility, ethics, law, and stakeholder theory as they apply to organizations domestically and abroad. Coverage includes business ethics; individual versus societal interests; labor and employment issues; consumer protection; discrimination and diversity; the natural environment; politics, public policy, and government regulation of business. Particular attention is given to developing moral reasoning skills. Prerequisite: MGMT 300.

Course Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Recognize the stakeholders in various types of international and domestic organizations

Evaluate competing interests in business, government, and society

Apply ethical reasoning to problem solving in business

Demonstrate an appreciation for diversity

Assess the relationship of ethics and law

Develop an applied knowledge of public law including employment & labor law

Key topics to be covered this semester are:

      The Relationship between Business & Society

      Corporate Responsibility

      The Stakeholder Approach

      Corporate Governance

      Crisis Management

      Business Ethics

   

      Employment Law

      Labor Law

      Employment Discrimination & Affirmative Action

      Workplace Legal Issues including Privacy & Health & Safety

      Alternative Dispute Resolution

Required Course Materials: (must be obtained in advance of first day of class)

Cihon & Castagnera, Employment & Labor Law, 7E, South-Western (978-1-4390-3727)

(Custom or other editions are not adequate)

Course Requirements and Student Evaluation: 

Attendance:

Absences from class may adversely affect your grade. Please do not enter the classroom late.  Tardiness may count as a class absence.  Please note:  Students in prior semesters have ignored the attendance and tardiness rule and have earned poor grades.

Participation:

Active participation is the key to success in this course.  You must bring your book to each class meeting.  No exceptions.  You must be prepared to discuss each case that is assigned for reading and study.  You are encouraged to participate in class discussions.

Caveat:

Average work in this course will result in a “C’ grade.  I welcome your active participation!   Not having a textbook in class is considered an absence.  If you are unprepared for any class question or case discussion your overall cumulative grade may be reduced by five points for each instance you are unprepared.

Please provide me with a valid e-mail address.  I may contact you via e-mail with information concerning class cancellations, assignments, due dates and supplemental reading.  An e-mail message created and sent to you creates a presumption that the e-mail was received and read by you.  Therefore, check your e-mail regularly!  You may need access to the Internet to complete some assignments.

No make-up examinations will be given absent extraordinary reasons. (Ie: major earthquakes-8.0+, tornados, floods- like the “Ark”, impending end of world, and disasters of monstrous proportion)  No assignments will be accepted after the announced due date.  It is not possible to “make-up” class assignments.

You may use your computer for viewing the electronic text or for taking class notes. Please do not text, use your cell phone, or your computer for any other reason. 

Please do not request a specific grade or advise the instructor that you need a grade to maintain a scholarship or for some other reason.  Requesting a grade or attempting to influence the instructor concerning grading constitutes professional misconduct.   I do not change grades unless I have made a calculation error.  I do not discuss grades via email.

I retain copies of tests, examinations and assignments for sixty days following the end of the semester.

Professionalism requires that you act at all times with skill, good judgment and respect for others.

I generally do not entertain questions within 24 hours of any test including the final examination. The final examination time is set by the USD Registrar and is available on my.sandiego.edu.

Grading:

Scale:  A 100-92, A-91-90, B+89, B 88-82, B-80-81, C+ 79, C 78-72, C-71-70, D 69-60, less than 60=F

3 quizzes - 40% - multiple choice

Participation / Professionalism: 10%

Writing Assignments: 10%

Final Examination- Essay and/or multiple choice- Comprehensive - 40%

(please see MySanDiego for the date and time for the final examination.  You may not take the final examination at any other date or time)

Statement on Academic Integrity: 

“All members of the University community share the responsibility for maintaining an environment of academic integrity since academic dishonesty is a threat to the University. Acts of academic dishonesty include: a) unauthorized assistance on an examination; b) falsification or invention of data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise; d) plagiarism; e) misappropriation of resource materials; f) any unauthorized access of an instructor's files or computer account; or g) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor.”

School of Business Administration Mission Statement:

To develop socially responsible business leaders with a global outlook through academically rigorous, relevant, and values-based education and research.

Disclaimer

The lectures, discussions, assignments, personal interaction and all educational activity are information and not legal advice.  If you need legal, tax or any other professional advice, consult a licensed attorney or other qualified professional.  The Professor is not providing legal or other representation to any student.  No attorney client privilege is expressly intended or implied.

Tentative Schedule- Subject to Change

Class	Topics	Assignments/Deliverables
Week 1	Overview of Employment & Labor Law- Stakeholder Approach	Chapter 1
Week 2	Employment Contracts and Wrongful Discharge	Chapters 2 & 3
Week 3	Employee Privacy Rights- Business Ethics	Chapters 4 & 5 Quiz # 1
Week 4	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Race Discrimination	Chapter 6
Week 5	Gender & Family Issues	Chapter 7
Week 6	Discrimination Based on Religion and National Origin	Chapter 8
Week 7	Discrimination based on Age	Chapters 9
Week 8	Discrimination Based on Disability	Chapter 10 Quiz # 2
Week 9	The Rise of Organized Labor- Corporate Social Responsibility	Chapter 12
Week 10	The Unionization Process and Unfair Labor Practices	Chapters 13 & 14 Quiz # 3
Week 11	Occupational Safety & Health	Chapter 20
Week 12	Employee Safety Nets- Unemployment, Workers Compensation & Social Security	Chapter 21
Week 13	The Fair Labor Standards Act	Chapter 22
Week 14	To be announced	Comprehensive Final Examination

Grade Policy

As I discussed in class, I do not disclose or discuss grades via email.  Should you have any question concerning your grade(s), please send me a message after the start of the Spring semester and we will meet to discuss your grade or any other concerns you may have.  Please understand I do not change any grade unless I have made a calculation error.  Have a Happy Holiday!  Rick Custin